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enUpdate on the first seven months of the Fees Free policyhttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/update-first-seven-months-fees-free-policy
The Coalition Government’s first-year Fees Free policy is tracking well, with more than 50,000 people set to receive fees-free tertiary education this year, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today.
“Two thirds of the way through the first year of fees-free tertiary education and training, 41,700 students and trainees are receiving tertiary education that is fees-free,” Chris Hipkins said.
“This is up 25 per cent from the April figures and as expected, the bulk of the increase is in the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnic (ITP) and Industry Training Organisation sector.
“The Ministry of Education forecasts that by the end of the calendar year 50,200 people will benefit from fees-free support - 45,600 provider-based students and 4,600 industry trainees.
“The impact on students’ lives is already clear. Statistics for January to September 2018 show that 31,600 fewer students borrowed to pay tertiary fees. The amount students had to borrow for fees also fell, down $193 million on the same time last year.
“That’s strong progress in the Coalition Government’s determined steps to reduce the cost burden and barriers for New Zealanders in post-school education and training.
“It’s also pleasing to note that the policy may be helping to stabilise the previous significant decline in enrolments, particularly in a strong labour market environment with the lowest unemployment rate in over a decade (3.9%),” Chris Hipkins said.
Enrolments across tertiary providers for level 3 and above courses for the first seven months of 2018 are about the same as the previous year, after a drop of about 5,000 in the year to the end of 2017.
“Given the difficult last couple of years that many of our polytechnics and institutes of technology have experienced, the stabilising of enrolment numbers in that sector is particularly encouraging. This has more than offset the large declines at several institutions, with an overall increase of 678 students on August 2017 figures.
“While significant financial challenges remain for many ITPs, this is good news for the sector as a whole,” Chris Hipkins said.
A more complete picture of the take-up of Fees Free will become available early next year after the next collection of data for the full 2018 year.
Ministerial briefings and other relevant documentation can be found here and here. Tue, 20 Nov 2018 10:32:10 +1300beehive.govt.nz106366Joint Statement by His Excellency Sebastián Piñera, President of the Republic of Chile, and the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardernhttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-statement-his-excellency-sebasti%C3%A1n-pi%C3%B1era-president-republic-chile-and-right
At the invitation of the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, undertook a State Visit to New Zealand on 19 November 2018.
President Piñera was welcomed at Government House in Auckland by the Governor-General, the Right Honourable Dame Patsy Reddy, engaged with business representatives with commercial interests in Chile, and had a warm and wide-ranging discussion with Prime Minister Ardern. President Piñera and Prime Minister Ardern discussed a range of issues across the bilateral, regional and multilateral agendas, highlighting the high level of alignment and common interests between the two countries.
Shared values and people-to-people links across the Pacific Ocean underpin the strong bilateral relationship between Chile and New Zealand. The two Leaders acknowledged the strength of the ties and agreed there was great potential for further growth in the relationship.
They acknowledged their countries’ roles as founding members of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (“P4”), which later served as a platform for the establishment of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). They welcomed New Zealand’s ratification of the CPTPP, as well as the progress towards ratification made by Chile, noting the opportunities to further expand trade links. The Leaders expressed their strong desire for New Zealand to become an Associated State of the Pacific Alliance, including through the successful completion of a high quality and comprehensive trade agreement.
The leaders discussed the APEC Leaders’ Summit, held this weekend in Papua New Guinea, and acknowledged the importance of close collaboration between both countries on the breadth of APEC’s agenda. Leaders also discussed the lead up to the host years by Chile in 2019, and New Zealand in 2021, as well as the search for concrete results that would advance the progressive, inclusive and sustainable benefits to the Asia Pacific wider population. It was agreed that officials would continue to collaborate on areas of shared interest by exchanging information, generating ideas and sharing experiences in order build capability and expertise. President Piñera extended a warm invitation to Prime Minister Ardern to attend the next APEC Leaders’ Summit in Santiago in 2019. Additionally, Chile thanked New Zealand for sending an official to work in the Executive Secretariat of APEC Chile 2019.
The Leaders agreed on the importance of building and protecting a safe and prosperous Asia-Pacific region, with respect for the rule of law. Likewise, they reaffirmed their joint commitment to sustainable development and to working cooperatively in support of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Declaration on Progressive and Inclusive Trade signed by Chile, New Zealand and Canada in March this year. They committed to continue developing inclusive trade policies, to ensure that the benefits of trade and investment reach all citizens. It was noted that progress is needed to lift the number of women engaged in international trade, help small and medium sized enterprises to benefit from opportunities offered by trade agreements and global value chains, and maintain our commitments to protect the environment.
New Zealand and Chile share a common commitment to the development of their respective indigenous peoples. Recognising the special connection between Māori and Chile’s Mapuche peoples and the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island, indigenous cooperation has been identified as an important area for future bilateral collaboration. Government officials from both governments are in active discussions on specific areas for future collaboration, particularly how we can facilitate stronger economic and trade relationships as a basis for our indigenous peoples’ future prosperity.
The importance of a strong, modern, rules-based multilateral trading system was acknowledged. The Leaders shared their concerns on the rising level of protectionist tendencies, the enforcement of unilateral measures, and the current impasse regarding appointments to the WTO’s Appellate Body. They noted their countries’ actions in pursuing constructive solutions that seek to defend, strengthen and modernise the WTO and its rules. Chile commended New Zealand's proposal which reaffirms the preference for multilateral approaches to carry out trade negotiations and puts forward principles for more flexible mechanisms such as open plurilateral arrangements.
The Leaders shared their concerns on climate change, noting the need to take urgent action. They undertook to work together during the upcoming COP24 in December in Poland, in order to achieve an ambitious outcome that includes clear rules and procedures for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Chile and New Zealand share a common interest in collaborating to develop better climate policies, including carbon pricing mechanisms and developing national legal frameworks that address the specific needs of each country.
New Zealand welcomed Chile’s deepening focus on the Pacific Islands region, and acknowledged its interest in the Pacific Islands Forum. New Zealand and Chile look forward to sharing information on their respective Pacific engagements and perspectives, noting their mutual interest in Pacific prosperity and security.
In a demonstration of the two countries’ ongoing commitment to work together, the Leaders welcomed the signing of the following instruments:
Strategic Agricultural Arrangement between Chile and New Zealand for 2018-2021;
Arrangement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Republic of Chile relating to cooperation on Non-Tariff Barriers;
Joint Declaration between the Government of the Republic of Chile and the Government of New Zealand on Antarctic Cooperation; and
Arrangement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Republic of Chile on Cooperation in the Field of Seabird Conservation.
The President of the Republic of Chile expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the Governor General, the Prime Minister and Government, and the people of New Zealand.Mon, 19 Nov 2018 16:41:55 +1300beehive.govt.nz106362Chile and NZ arrangement to protect seabirdshttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/chile-and-nz-arrangement-protect-seabirds
New Zealand and Chile will help protect vulnerable seabirds, including the critically endangered Antipodean albatross.
A cooperative arrangement was signed today by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, on behalf of Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage and Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash, and the Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Ampuero, who is visiting New Zealand alongside President Sebastián Piñera.
It establishes a cooperative partnership between the Department of Conservation and the Ministry for Primary Industries in New Zealand, and Chile’s Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Ministry of Environment.
“This arrangement marks a significant milestone in tackling the decline of our most vulnerable seabirds and formalises collaboration between New Zealand and Chile on this important issue,” Eugenie Sage said.
Stuart Nash said “this arrangement will enable better exchange of information between our two fishing nations and support greater innovation that will allow us to succeed in our shared goal of reducing albatross bycatch”.
“Central to the arrangement is establishing a Plan of Action for the conservation of Antipodean albatross, which like many other New Zealand endemic seabirds, breeds in New Zealand and forages in waters off Chile in the non-breeding season” said Eugenie Sage.
“These amazing birds roam vast distances across the ocean and their population will no longer be viable in the next 20 years unless we stop the devastating decline in their numbers.”
The biggest threat to these seabirds comes from fishing in the international waters between the two countries, particularly as bycatch in surface longline fisheries.
An important component of the arrangement will be increased cooperation through Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, which govern fishing on the high seas.
“We will be engaging actively with these organisations to improve ways of preventing these precious birds being caught on fishing lines,” Eugenie Sage said.
“We welcome a closer association with Chile and look forward to a closer association in and around the regional fisheries meetings” Stuart Nash said.
The Antipodean albatross has undergone an alarming decline in recent years and the species is listed as Nationally Critical by the Department of Conservation, the highest threat classification ranking. They have also been identified as a population of global priority conservation concern by the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), an international body that seeks to conserve albatrosses and petrels.
Background information
Antipodean albatross breed in New Zealand’s remote Subantarctic Islands. Since 2004, the population has been declining at a rate of 6% a year for males and 12% a year for females.
Recent shifts in foraging ranges have seen the birds travel further offshore to feed. The birds are now seen interacting with fisheries on the high seas, including the international waters between New Zealand and Chile.
Not only is the population in decline, but there is also a sex imbalance, with significantly fewer females in the population, and reduced breeding success.
These seabirds are long lived and slow breeding, which makes them particularly susceptible to human induced threats.
Lack of knowledge on diet, dietary shifts, life history and other threats – hopefully some of which can be addressed through the arrangement with Chile.Mon, 19 Nov 2018 15:03:48 +1300beehive.govt.nz106360Government confirms $20m investment in new health centre for Westporthttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-confirms-20m-investment-new-health-centre-westport
Health Minister Dr David Clark today confirmed $20m in Crown funding and the site for the new Buller Health Centre in Westport.
During a visit to Westport today with West Coast Tasman MP Damien O’Connor, David Clark said the latest concept design for the new facility had been accepted, allowing detailed design work to proceed.
"The people of Buller have waited long enough for a modern, purpose-designed health facility.
“The Government has listened to the public engagement process and the typically direct feedback from Coasters, including input from the clinicians who will work there.
“As a result, I can confirm that the Buller facility will be located on the current hospital site, and that we’ll be increasing the scope of the project to allow for the inclusion of the locally provided Adult Dental Service as well as two additional medical beds.”
Damien O’Connor said today’s announcement was great news for the Coast.
“Today we have reason to celebrate because a fit-for-purpose Buller health facility will be delivered as promised by the Coalition Government.
“I want to thank Dr Clark for listening to feedback and boosting the number of medical beds beyond the initial plan.
“Many people should be proud of their efforts to get a better deal for Buller residents after the previous Government’s determination to penny pinch and entirely ignore the community’s wishes.
“The new facility will be one that the community can be proud of and I’ll be keen to see construction get under way as soon as possible,” Damien O’Connor said.
David Clark said project budget is being set at $20 million, to be funded by the Crown, and continues a series of significant Coalition Government investments in hospital infrastructures.
“In recent weeks, we’ve announced major investments in hospitals from Northland to Auckland to Wellington, and today the West Coast. All New Zealanders deserve access to services which will lead to better health outcomes,’’ said David Clark.Mon, 19 Nov 2018 10:04:08 +1300beehive.govt.nz106356New plan for high quality early learning http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-plan-high-quality-early-learning
A bold ten year plan looks to restore the Government’s commitment to quality in early learning, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today.
“Moving towards 100 percent qualified teachers in early childhood education centres and improving adult:child ratios are among some of the key proposals for change put forward by the sector and experts in the new draft ten year strategic plan for early learning,” Chris Hipkins said.
The draft plan, He taonga te tamaiti, sets the direction for early learning for the next 10 years and is open for consultation until 15 March 2019.
“This Government wants New Zealand to be the best place in the world to be a child, and an important part of that is giving every child the best early learning experience.
“This ten year vision for early learning puts the focus back on quality, picking up on the huge progress made by the last Labour Government.
“All the evidence shows that early learning gives children a head start in life, improves their wellbeing and contributes to a happy safe childhood. But only if it’s high quality.
“Participation in early learning has grown in recent years, but this doesn’t mean that all children have access to high quality learning opportunities.
“This is why I appointed a Ministerial Advisory Group and a Reference Group to work with the sector and the Ministry of Education on a new Strategic Plan for Early Learning. I asked them to focus on three themes: quality, equity, and choice.
“Their draft plan released today sets out a path to develop and strengthen the early learning sector over the next 10 years, to meet the needs of all children and their families and whānau,” Chris Hipkins said.
Key proposals for change include:
moving towards a 100% qualified teacher workforce in early childhood education centres
improving the adult:child ratios for babies and toddlers
increasing the consistency and levels of teacher salaries and conditions across the sector
a more planned approach to establishing new services, greater support and increased monitoring.
“The draft plan will see some significant changes in the sector, including the increase in demand for qualified teachers.
“This is a long term commitment which requires a staged approach to allow time for the sector to respond to the changes and additional workforce demands.
“I am keen to hear from families and whānau, kaiako, service providers, educators and the wider community about the specific changes suggested, as well as the proposed timeline for implementation,” Chris Hipkins said.
Consultation will include an online survey as well as a series of hui around the country.
Notes:
Here is the draft Strategic Plan for Early Learning and here is the Cabinet paper. Mon, 19 Nov 2018 10:00:34 +1300beehive.govt.nz106358New Zealand assists with Papua New Guinea vaccinations programmehttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-assists-papua-new-guinea-vaccinations-programme
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced that New Zealand is committing up to NZ$10 million towards improving vaccination outcomes in Papua New Guinea.
Mr Peters made the announcement during the official opening of the St John Ambulance Operations Centre in Boroko, which was built with the support of New Zealand Government funding.
“The current polio outbreak in PNG is a tragedy for those children and families who have been affected. Back in New Zealand it highlighted for us the very real risks that exist for children who are not able to receive the appropriate vaccinations that protect them from serious and life-threatening illnesses,” Mr Peters said.
“We are pleased to be working with the Papua New Guinea Department of Health and Australia on this programme to ensure that children across PNG have access to life-saving vaccinations.
“Investing in vaccination is one of the most effective investments in economic growth and human development that a country can make. New Zealand is committing to work together with PNG, and other donors particularly Australia, to strengthen local health systems in PNG to lift immunisation rates,” Mr Peters said.Sun, 18 Nov 2018 15:30:54 +1300beehive.govt.nz106354New Zealand joins partnership to expand access to electricity in Papua New Guineahttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-joins-partnership-expand-access-electricity-papua-new-guinea
New Zealand will contribute towards Papua New Guinea’s ambitious National Electrification Roll-Out Plan to connect 70 percent of households to electricity by 2030, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced at APEC in Papua New Guinea.
The funding will be allocated from New Zealand’s Overseas Development Assistance budget.
The Prime Minister made the announcement alongside other partners in the project; US Vice President Pence, Australian Prime Minister Morrison, Japanese Prime Minister Abe and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister O’Neill during APEC Leaders’ Week.
“This ambitious electrification project signals a strong commitment from New Zealand and our four other partners to work together and pool our resources and technical expertise to support PNG’s electrification goals,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“New Zealand has been a significant partner with PNG in the energy sector for over five years. This commitment comes in addition to a $24.7 million contribution to the Rural On-Grid Extension Project and $10.25 million to the Town Electrification Investment Programme.
“In partnership with our Pacific neighbours, we are the second most significant donor in the region. Together with Australia, we make up 50% of the development assistance in the Pacific Islands according to the latest data from the OECD.
“Pooling New Zealand’s resources with our partners means our contribution can go further and will make a much greater impact. We are very pleased with this level of shared commitment.
“Currently only 13 percent of PNG’s population has access to electricity. This partnership will connect more households, businesses and service providers across Papua New Guinea to electricity, with the goal of 70 percent of households gaining access to electricity.
“Bringing power to people who never had it before has a transformational impact on their lives and will assist Papua New Guinea to grow. The lack of electricity is holding back Papua New Guineans’ ability to invest in business opportunities but also the country’s ability to develop its critical social services including health and education,” Jacinda Ardern said.
The cost of connecting 70 percent of people by 2030 is estimated to cost approximately US$1.7 billion.Sun, 18 Nov 2018 15:00:19 +1300beehive.govt.nz106350New Zealand announces further support to Pacific Horticultural and Market Access Plus programmehttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-announces-further-support-pacific-horticultural-and-market-access-plus
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced that New Zealand will contribute $13.5 million over four years to support the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Plus programme, a new joint New Zealand–Australian initiative.
“Export opportunities make an important contribution to the economic growth of Pacific Island countries and the livelihoods of their people,” Mr Peters said.
“Pacific producers struggle to gain and maintain access to international markets due to a range of challenges such as meeting the quality and biosecurity standards of export markets, maintaining a reliable scale of production and dealing with the increased frequency and severity of adverse weather events.”
PHAMA Plus will target select export products of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and other Pacific Island countries such as Niue and Cook Islands, and help producers, processors and exporters improve their productivity, quality of production, and capacity to meet export market biosecurity requirements. Agricultural, forestry, fishery and handicraft products will be initially targeted for support under the scheme.
“The initiative aims to benefit up to 200,000 Pacific households, with special attention being given to ensure that women and youth are meaningfully included and benefit. Climate change resilience will be supported through targeting climate-appropriate crops and better connecting producers with long-term weather forecasting and adaptation advice,” said Mr Peters.
PHAMA Plus complements other Pacific agriculture initiatives supported by MFAT, including a dairy programme in Fiji, a cocoa programme in Samoa, a vanilla programme in Tonga and a fresh produce programme in PNG.
ENDSSun, 18 Nov 2018 13:29:38 +1300beehive.govt.nz106352International Declaration on Biodiversity http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/international-declaration-biodiversity%C2%A0-%C2%A0
New Zealand is joining its voice and influence with others in the international community to better protect biodiversity by joining the Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration adopted in Egypt on 15 November.
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage joined other political leaders at the event to discuss global biodiversity at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) High Level Segment in Sharm El-Sheikh.
“This declaration comes at a pivotal point for nature,” Eugenie Sage said.
“Despite significant efforts, global biodiversity continues to decline. As the international community begins work to establish new biodiversity targets, we also need to increase our focus and do all we can to achieve the current “Aichi” targets. New Zealand will be doing its bit to accelerate action at home.”
New Zealand has started to develop a new national biodiversity strategy.
“With many of New Zealand’s native plants and wildlife found nowhere else in the world, we have an international responsibility to safeguard them for their own sake, and for present and future generations,” Eugenie Sage said.
The declaration focuses on the importance of mainstreaming biodiversity across relevant sectors of the economy, with a particular emphasis on energy and mining, infrastructure, and manufacturing and processing, as well as health.
“It was important to New Zealand that the Declaration acknowledge the importance of circular economy principles to ensure less waste is created and more reuse is possible,” said Eugenie Sage, “and I was pleased to see this reflected.”
The meeting of the parties to the Convention, which continues over the next two weeks, will establish a pathway towards the adoption in 2020 of a new global biodiversity plan.
Declaration text: https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/4ae5/5d11/2e166e7924acf3d036cfda89/cop-14-hls-07-rev1-en.pdfSat, 17 Nov 2018 09:51:19 +1300beehive.govt.nz106348New Zealand deepens connections with Peru at APEC Leaders’ Weekhttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-deepens-connections-peru-apec-leaders%E2%80%99-week
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today signed an air services agreement with his Peruvian counterpart, Néstor Popolizio, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Week in Port Moresby.
The agreement sets out conditions under which air services may be operated between New Zealand and Peru, including routes that can be flown and capacity (frequency and aircraft types) that may be offered.
“New Zealand’s relationship with Peru is going from strength to strength, including with Peru’s plans to reopen its Embassy in Wellington next year,” Mr Peters says.
“New Zealanders are increasingly looking to Latin America as a travel destination, and this agreement means Peru will become even more accessible.”
New Zealand and Peru will strengthen trade and economic ties when Peru ratifies the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership. Peru has also supported New Zealand’s goal to have a free trade agreement with the Pacific Alliance.
New Zealand and Peru have a strong record of working together on global issues, such as the environment, climate change, disarmament, agricultural reform, and trade liberalisation.
“This air services agreement marks an important milestone, as New Zealand now has air services agreements in place with all 20 of its APEC partners. These agreements pave the way for flights and code-share services that open up New Zealand’s access across the Asia-Pacific region.
“Having air services agreements in place with all our APEC partners helps to remove barriers to travel, and paves the way for stronger links between New Zealand and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region,” Mr Peters says.Fri, 16 Nov 2018 19:40:32 +1300beehive.govt.nz106346